Clone of Threats and Attacks

Intimidation and fear are effective tactics to silence those who speak out and/or muzzle those who might otherwise speak out. They are especially effective when coupled with a culture of impunity that sees the intimidators go unpunished.

In Canada, free-speech threats and physical attacks are isolated, but there have been some disturbing incidents. In 1988, B.C. journalist and publisher Tara Singh Hayer, who was an outspoken critic of violence in support of a Sikh homeland, was shot to death in his garage. The perpetrators have never been brought to justice.

Another prominent case of interference with the media occurred during the 2010 G20 Summit in Toronto when many journalists were subject to excessive force and unjust detention.

Threats and Attacks

Eight months ago the policing of the G20 Summit in Toronto resulted in numerous free expression violations. Although CJFE and many other organizations have called for a public inquiry, the Government of Canada has yet to implement one.